NIGERIA, WHAT A HELMET?

The thing wrong with this picture is that the motorcycle (popularly called Okada) rider in blue T-shirt, has an available helmet which he could have worn but choose otherwise. Instead, he decided to make a statement of either defiance or stupidity with an improvised empty container or bucket of possibly used paint as his preferred helmet. Very visible on the front-end of the motorcycle between the two bar-handles is an orange-colored helmet which he ignored to wear, but instead chose to dramatize the new helmet-law in Nigeria with his strange-looking plastic bucket!

This is one example why Nigeria is ungovernable as people do not usually obey laws but most times, choose to make mockery of them. What stops this mallam, pictured in Ijeshatedo area of Lagos, from simply throwing his helmet on his head instead of the plastic bucket he is wearing; and knowing fully well that the helmet-law is meant to cut down on his losses in event of an accident? The tragedy of this picture is that some policemen who are supposed to enforce the helmet-law, possibly saw this motorcyclist with his bucket-helmet driving around the Itire council area of Lagos State without arresting him. Icheoku says, they were all possibly, smiling and making jokes about the new "foreign/homegrown" helmet?

Icheoku says, such conduct as displayed by this motor-cyclist is not laughable and should not be condoned by anyone. In as much as it elicits laughter, being so hilarious, the rider is apparently making a mockery of the new helmet-law and should have been stopped cold. He should in addition, be made to take full responsibility for his action, as he broke an existing law of the land and ordered to pay a very steep fine/penalty as a deterrent. The term deterrent is what is missing in Nigeria's law enforcement lexicon, otherwise all these in-fractures of existing laws would not exist. On the new helmet-law however, Icheoku says, it is a welcome step towards mitigating motorcycle-accident victim's losses. Helmet saves lives as it protects the head upon contact with the pavement. Icheoku's one other concern is the possible transmission of head-lice (pediculus humanus capitis), dandruff, ticks, odour, eczema and other head-hair and skin contagious diseases from one passenger to another through sharing of one helmet.

The African sun could be so intense and easily heats up the human-body including the head-hair; thus makes head-lice very uncomfortable that they become so agitated and jumpy and could easily stick unto a helmet waiting to be transferred to the next passenger's hair. If every passenger is to share one helmet, shouldn't be a requirement also that some disinfectants be sprayed in the helmet before the next rider's use? Whatever happens, Icheoku says, riding "OKADA" with a plastic rubberised empty bucket "helmet" is not COOOOOOOOOL!

A GERMAN BILLIONAIRE COMMITS SUICIDE!

For just losing a few hundred million dollars of his fortune to the global economic melt-down! Icheoku says, if a billionaire should kill himself because of the bad economy, what would a pauper do? May be jump into a pot of boiling hot-grease and fry to hell? Who says the rich do not also cry? After reading this or hearing about it, do you still want to be rich, super-rich, stupendous rich? Who still wants to be a billionaire?

A German billionaire, Adolf Merckle pictured here top left, committed suicide after his business empire, which included interests ranging from pharmaceuticals to cement, ran into trouble amidst the current global financial crisis. His weapon of choice, a fast moving train similar to the one pictured here below, which he threw himself in front of and was crushed to death near his villa in Blaubeuren-Weller. Blaubeuren-Weller, in the state of Baden-Württemberg is about 100 miles west of Munich in southwestern Germany.

Adolf Merckle, 74, was ranked as the world's 94th richest person in 2008, with a personal fortune, estimated at $9.2 billion, according to Forbes magazine.

According to his family's statement announcing his death, "Adolf Merckle lived and worked for his family and his firms; the distress to his firms caused by the financial crisis and the related uncertainties of recent weeks, along with the helplessness of no longer being able to handle the situation, broke the passionate family businessman, and he ended his life.” The police in Ulm confirmed that his suicide note has been found but has not made the contents public.

A native of Dresden, Mr. Adolf Merckle made his way to Western Germany after World War II, where he parlayed his family business in chemicals into one of the biggest pharmaceutical concerns in the world. He built his family’s small pharmaceutical business into a 120-firm conglomerate employing 100,000 people. He was regarded as a modest man who frequently bicycled to work. His business empire also included HeidelbergCement, the company that bought the once mighty British conglomerate Hanson with more than €10 ($15) billion in sales, Ratiopharm, a recognized generics-drugs maker that became a brand unto itself with about €2 ($3) billion in revenue and Phoenix, a drugs wholesaler with about €20 ($30) billion in revenue. Mr. Adolf Merckle also owned stakes in companies that made a wide array of goods from all-terrain vehicles, software to textiles. In addition to his personal worth estimated at more than $9 billion by Forbes magazine, his companies’ combined turnover was in excess of $40 billion, making him Germany’s fifth richest man!

The last weeks of his life were spent with his holding company, VEM Vermögensverwaltung wrangling with a consortium of banks for a bridge-loan that would secure credit for his companies, following the global financial meltdown. He was to lose some of his company holdings as a result of the restructuring but which outcome he would rather not see; - his businesses being consumed as a result of disastrous investments and the global financial crisis. Mr. Merckle also lost several hundreds of millions of dollars last year in a misplaced stock-market bets in Volkswagen AG, in which he wagered that the stock price would fall. According to people with knowledge about the matter, the stock instead skyrocketed in what market participants have described as one of the most dramatic short squeezes ever. As Mr. Merckle grew increasingly desperate to keep his empire afloat, he lobbied the regional government in his home state of Baden-Württemberg late last year for temporary financial backing but to no avail; culminating to his death by suicide on Monday, January 5th, 2009.

Icheoku asks, did Adolf Merckle sell his soul to the devil of his vast financial empire? How could a billionaire who came to this world with nothing be so distrust that he cannot survive on a few hundreds of millions of dollars less, that he would rather jump in front of a fast moving train? Even if it had meant liquidating or winding-down, any option would have been better than smashing oneself in front of a moving train. That he was facing the possibility of an imminent dismantling of his vast financial and business empire as well as the sale of major holdings in one of his flag-ship company is not a sufficient justification for what his family is now being forced to deal with. According to one analyst, who like Icheoku, could not understand why a billionaire should kill himself because of economic downturn, Mr. Adolf Merckle probably had other issues bothering him and the current economic crisis provided him with the much needed tipping-point to go over the cliff's edge.

Mr. Adolf Merckle was survived by his wife and four children. Icheoku does not understand the justification for this suicide as there is nothing to try to understand; however to the bereaved family, we say, seek the face of the Lord for solace as you bear the loss of your patriarch! Please accept our condolence!

STEVE JOBS, NEEDS A MIRACLE OF HEALTH?

Have you ever marvelled at awesome piece of wonder the IPhone is? What about the Mac? Have you seen the envelope-fitting "Air" laptop computer? What about the Ipods - from the nano to the something? Still want more, please visit any Apple store or their website to voluptuously feed your tech-junkie appetite. Regrettably, the man behind these tech-wonders of our 21st century is ill; with some saying he is gravely ill? Please dear God, spare us our beloved SJ as the world need him very much longer, so that we can continue to enjoy many more sharp products of his beautiful mind.

However, Icheoku like many other gadget-loving folks, is commenting on the subject of SJ's health because of the varying statements on the nature of sickness afflicting SJ, coming from Apple regarding their CEO. This is now particularly fuelled by the no-show SJ pulled at the opening of his annual Mac-World exposition in the city of San Francisco California, United States of America, today, January 6th, 2009! SJ's unusual absence in his baby's event, being a fixture hitherto, is very ominous and a reason for concern for many of us world fans.

Pictured right is the then normal looking SJ wearing eye-glasses, looking his resplendent self. The other time SJ was in Japan feasting at one of the finest sushi restaurants in town with some of his inner business executives, he informed them that his pancreatic cancer/ colon problem appears to be in remission. The last time he appeared in San Francisco to launch the G3 IPhone, SJ said that his abnormally thin frame was diet-related and normal; and should not be a source for concern of the technological-savvy world. This year, rumour has it that SJ is so Nicole Ritchie-looking that he decided to completely abandon appearing at his company's this year's MacWorld ritual in San Francisco. The new line now concerning his state of health, is that his frighteningly emaciated frame is a result of abnormal hormonal firings? Just some hormone imbalance? Icheoku says, give me a break; as we and many other fans, do not buy this latest attempt at spinning what is ailing the Apple's Chief Executive Officer to acceptability. SJ and Apple should come clean and level with the world of technology on what is awry with our gadget wizard!

Icheoku says, now that western medicine appears to have failed to resolve what is wrong with SJ, it may be time to explore other alternatives, including homeopathic medicine, holistic medicine and spiritual healing. There is no harm in trying all and every available possible panacea since the current approach appears to have bottomed-out as merely speculative. For there to be a cure for an ailment, that ailment must first be identified - there has to be a successful diagnoses before a palliative medicine can be applied. Non seem to have worked so far or appear realistic any longer.

It could be a spiritual attack that SJ is going through and such could only be resolved with similarly concerted same-kind projectile being fired at the problem. There may be some divine or spiritual answer to the question, what is ailing SJ? Should this alternative be palatable to SJ or his managers, Icheoku is aware of a particular man of God who professes to have Divine powers to successfully petition such a cause as SJ to a resolution. Our contact remains facilitator@Icheoku.com and we look forward to offering our assistance, if solicited. Above all, it is a free service; although some appreciation, at the end of a successful intercession is always welcomed!

Until then or a healthy rebound of health, we at Icheokudotcom wishes our dear SJ a speedy recovery. Please get well for the world of technology, our STEVE JOBS!

NIGERIA, AN ANTI-SAME SEX COUNTRY?

Once again, northern Nigeria have displayed their intolerance for something unique, something different and something alien to what they are used to. The last time it was the hosting of the Miss World contest in Nigeria, that they successfully fought off, now they have commenced a total war on gays, lesbians and trans-genders in their police force.

Ruth Simon and Clementina Jerome, two police-women serving with the Nigerian police force in Sokoto State were recently dismissed from the police for allegedly engaging in lesbianism or somewhat lesbian acts of affection.

Their supposed acts of affection were interpreted by the Sokoto Police Command as a ‘discreditable conduct’ for which they were immediately fired from the police force, under an existing "police code"?

Icheoku says, Nigeria is gradually but surely being forced by these northern mallams, into an Islamic country with zero-tolerance for some modernity. It is either sharia law today, stoning-sentence tomorrow, cancelling a beauty pageant there and now the sacking of some alleged "lesbian" police couple? This intolerance is not healthy for any developing society as we all should learn how to accept or better tolerate each other's differences for a stronger union. Let us leave the judgment as to what is right or wrong for the Almighty God to be the judge.

Icheoku calls on the Nigeria Inspector General of police, Mike Okilo to review the firing of this two police ladies with a view to recalling them. If however the Islamic intolerance of the north will make it impossible for them to continue serving their father-land, may be a redeployment to a more tolerant southern state should be explored. But to have them remain sacked for just their sexual-orientation or its suspicion is not a welcome sign of a progressive country.

OMO OMORUYI, DOES IT PAY TO SERVE NIGERIA?

In this op-ed Icheoku asks, is what Professor Omo Omoruyi currently going through, after 40 years in public life with many of them devoted to a meritorious service to Nigeria, worth the sacrifice?

Professor Omo Omoruyi, 70, was a founding father and former Director-General of the now defunct Nigeria Centre for Democratic Studies (CDS), Abuja. His effort at the CDC which he founded in 1989, culminated in the Option A4 electioneering system that successfully engineered the election of M.K.O. Abiola as president, from the first ever free and fair election conducted in Nigeria. Several years after the said election was mischievously annulled by Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, this professor of Political Science is in a very sorry state of health and the government of Nigeria which he dutifully served seem to have told him, you are on your own!

This elicits the question, "what is then the incentive for serving Nigeria honestly, if such a past "good-servant" is now so desolate that he cannot even afford to pay his medical bills? Icheoku says, this may be the reason why public officials in Nigeria are endemically corrupt because they know that nobody will ask about them once they are out of power. Put in another way, does this mean that Professor Omo Omoruyi was not corrupt, otherwise his stashed millions of dollars/pounds would still be available at his pleasure? It is also instructive to note that the Professor is from Niger Delta area of Nigeria and yet, despite their natural resources, his state of Edo cannot afford his medical treatment while virtually all his counterparts from the north who similarly served Nigeria, are swimming in abundant wealth assisted by their states.

Now Professor Omo Omoruyi has prostate cancer and needs financial assistance to fight it. The government is lukewarm in providing assistance. The Professor acknowledged there is a health-care delivery crisis in Nigeria where he spent a week at the National Hospital at Abuja, misdiagnosed and being giving ordinary painkillers and muscle relaxers for his excruciating pain symptoms. Prior to which he was an off and on outpatient of the hospital manifesting pains with leg pain, back pain, body pain etc. The Professor noted that nobody at the National Hospital was able to correctly diagnose his seething body pain and his inability to move his legs as something more serious than requires mere pain relieving drugs. Continuing, Professor Omoruyi lamented that even the doctor who admitted him did not bother to see him again throughout his one week admission at the hospital? Sounds scary, you bet; but that is the Nigeria way! Professor Omo Omoruyi also regretted that he was still poor at 70 and after so many years of selfless service to Nigeria. Icheoku now asks Professor Omo Omoruyi, would he have stolen to his heart's delight knowing then, the realities of his life today? It is also important to point out that the Professor took some bullets in Nigeria in a 1994 failed assassination attempt in Benin, from bandits who possibly targeted him for his perceived role in the 1993 annulment.

Icheoku says that the feeling of abandonment which Professor Omo Omoruyi is experiencing today is not encouraging at all; as this will only spur corruption amongst public servants who will become more desperate to stash away enough money for their own rainy days. Such experience breeds corruption and something must be done to checkmate it, in the spirit of fighting corruption. The Nigerian government must find a way to provide for the health care needs of such "patriotic" elder-statesman who was willing to forsake the cushions of life abroad to return home to Nigeria to try to help out. If the government cannot provide for the primary and secondary care needs of such deserving citizen, at least it should be able to under-write his tertiary catastrophic health care needs.

Icheoku says, dialysis, cancer, HIV/AIDS, open heart surgery, brain surgery and such other high-dollar cost medical needs, that are too crushing for an individual's pocket, should be borne by the government. Professor Omo Omoruyi has cancer and so ordinarily, is eminently qualified for such government assistance, especially in view of his contributions to the development of democracy in Nigeria. The Center for Democratic Studies which he founded and nurtured was a success, admitted it later went the way of so many other things in Nigeria.

GHANA, CONGRATULATIONS ON THIS MILESTONE!

To President John Akufor, Icheoku says this one is for you - the election of Professor John Attah Mills, pictured left, as president in waiting of Ghana! For remaining that erudite British-trained lawyer whose respect for the rule of law now extended to respect for the wishes of the Ghanaian electorates! For respecting the wishes of the Ghanaian people who preferred the opposition candidate as opposed to your own government party's candidate, despite your stellar performance in office! You are a pride of every blackman particularly in Africa whose leaders' penchant for sit-tight, poll manipulation, imposition of candidate or annulling a free and fair election because the outcome did not meet up with their pre-ordained expectation, or sometimes, even trying to change the horse mid-stream to elongate their tenure and when all their dribbling fail, imposes a sick weakling on a country.

To you, President John Akuffor, pictured here right, be all the glory of Ghana's successful election. You stood firm as the decent man you are and respected the wishes of the Ghana people. By this singular act of political decency, you have transcended into the realm where Nelson Mandela hitherto, was a lonely occupant. You have become a shining beacon of hope for Africa, by becoming an elected African leader to voluntarily allow a free election to take place in your country; you did not try to thwart the wishes of the people or perpetuate yourself in power either directly of by proxy and this is very commendable of you!

To the people of Ghana, Icheoku says you should be proud of the milestone accomplishment in democracy, you achieved today. You are now the only truly functioning democracy in Africa and we are proud of the decency of your president and electoral commission chairman. Please Ghana, do not ever drop the ball but keep the flag of democracy which you have hoisted, flying! It is for all Africans!

To President-elect Professor John Atta Mills, 64, of the opposition party National Democratic Congress, Icheoku says congratulations on your victory and please do not let the fire of democracy which President John Akufor has lit quench under your supervision. Your victory was possible because there is a sitting president who cherishes honor more than all the golds in the former Gold Coast. Know ye that you are now the president-elect of all Ghanaians and you should not disappoint the sacred trust which their vote now confers on you. The baton which President John Akufor has handed over to you must be passed on to the next guy when the time comes. Icheoku has no doubt that being the very educated gentle man you are that you will not be found wanting at the end of your term in office.

Professor John Attah Mills was born on 21 July 1944 at Tarkwa in western Ghana (see map of Ghana right showing Tarkwa). He graduated in law at the University of Ghana in 1967 before further legal studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London. He won a Fulbright scholarship at Stanford Law School in the US and later returned to Ghana where he taught law for nearly 25 years at his Alma mater the University of Ghana. He became a national tax commissioner under Mr Rawlings before being promoted to the vice-presidency. He is a keen hockey player and at one time was a member of the Ghana hockey national team. John Attah Milla also enjoys swimming and is married to his wife Ernestina Naadu Mills and has one son, Sam Kofi Atta Mills.

To the current government's New Patriotic Party's candidate, Attorney Nana Akufo-Addo, pictured here left, who have already congratulated President-elect John Attah Mills for his victory at the polls, Icheoku says, you are a civilized gentle man, who understands that politics is not a do or die affair. Thank you for choosing the part of honor and for placing Ghana above your personal interest. If all non-victorious candidates in every election will be as gentlemanly as you displayed, may be more decent and honorable people will find politics attractive.

To the monster Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, Icheoku says you should now cover your horrifying face in ashes and hide it under a sack-cloth filled with shame, for the sham election, nay selection in Nigeria that imposed Umaru Yar'Adua on Nigerians. Look at Ghana and be very ashamed of yourself for not living up to the calling when duty called; because your devilish third term ploy was thwarted, you imposed a very sick weakling Umaru Yar'Adua on Nigeria and today, the result is a Nigeria that has almost stalled completely. Shame on you Olusegun Obasanjo.

To the other Nigeria despicable fellow, Nigeria's INEC chairman Maurice Iwu, Icheoku asks, do you now see that the word integrity still exists as examplified in Kwodo Afari-Gyan of the Ghana electoral commission, pictured here right? With 50.23% of the votes, the electoral commission today January 3, 2009 declared the opposition candidate Attah Mills the winner of a tight presidential run-off in Ghana. In his glorious voice, Afari-Gyan declared, on the basis of the official results given, it is my duty to declare Professor John Evans Atta Mills the president-elect of the Republic of Ghana"! The present government party New Patriotic Party candidate Nana Akufo-Addo, 64, secured 49.77% of the votes.

With Kenya's Mwai Kibaki, Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe, Nigeria's Olusegun Obasanjo/Umaru Yar'Adua, the coup de tat in Mauritanian and Guinea as the poster-boys for undemocratic governance in Africa, Ghana has now proved that there is still some glimmer of hope in Africa. Icheoku says, congratulations to all Ghanaians!

Juxtaposing Ghana's President-elect, Professor John Attah Mills campaign slogan "I believe in Ghana" can any past and present leader of Nigeria so declare that he sincerely believes in Nigeria? However, Nigerians must not slumber but persist in their quest for the Ghana's example that one day, they may be able to elect a president-leader of their choice and stop being held hostage in a gulag by a cabal-imposed president. Another implication of the Ghana's election result is that Muhammad Buhari of Nigeria should not loose hope about winning the Nigerian presidency, since the President-elect John Attah Mills failed twice in his past presidential election attempts in Ghana. Until that day when Africa shall be free to elect her presidents, may what happened in Ghana be a symbol of hope that, that day shall one day come. Finally, Icheoku says, Ghana enjoy your well-deserved democracy!

IGBOS OF (BIAFRA) NIGERIA, WHERE ARE YOU?

Nigeria's President Umaru Yar'Adua has said that his Nigerian government will provide special security to seven of the country’s "major" cities. The president's special adviser on communication Olusegun Adeniyi listed these "major" Nigerian cities as Abuja, Ibadan, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Maiduguri and Port Harcourt! Icheoku screams blue-murder as to the paradigm or basis of selecting these "major" cities and asks, whether it is the volume of business being generated in those cities or their population or ingenuity that qualified them as such "major" Nigerian cities?

Who shall it be told that no Igbo city was pencilled down for this "major" city status, qualified for President Umaru Yar'Adua's Nigerian Federal government's national security blanket? Not Onitsha, not Nnewi, not Enugu, not Aba just to mention but a few! All of them were excluded from this so called "major" city status and you ask yourself why are they not "major" cities within their calculations? Tell that to the marines; let the truth be told - the rest of Nigeria is still fighting the long gone 1967-70 civil war against Biafra, which they see in their warped and jaundiced eyes as the Igbos. But these hedgehogs forgot that the present day Rivers State, Bayelsa State, Akwa-Ibom State and Cross River State were all part of the then self-preserving Biafra? Phillip Effiong who finally surrendered to the Nigeria Federal government was not an Igbo but an Efik from present day Cross River State. So why is the Igbo still, solely being persecuted for their role in Biafra, which hostility was trust upon them by the rest of Nigerians who wanted and desired to totally annihilate them in one of the world's worst genocide? Icheoku asks Nigeria, when did self-preservation become an unforgiveable sin?

At the inception of the Nigerian experiment in 1960, there were four regions - northern region with its capital at Kaduna, western region with headquarter in Ibadan, mid-western region with Benin and eastern region with Enugu as the headquarter. Today all the other regional capitals are being treated like an integral part of Nigeria city with the exception of Enugu. Since the end of fire-arm hostilities between Biafra and Nigeria, each successive Nigerian government has continued with this vanquished-mentality treatment of the Igbo people; which pattern was most felt during the tragedy of Olusegun Obasanjo eight years of ignoble rule in Nigeria; when he tried but failed to totally emasculate the Igbo people of Nigeria. Several of Igbo proprietary businesses were closed including Savannah Bank, Societe General Bank, Slok airlines, Ibeto cement etc just to mention but a few. Now President Umaru Yar'Adua has shooed-in to complete the decimation of the Igbo people of Nigeria - the sick man from Katsina has taken "project kill-off Igbo people" to the next level and it is becoming really very septic.

Now every political zone and region in Nigeria has a city and/or cities designated by President Umaru Yar'Adua as a top priority "major" city for his planned security condone except for Enugu and all the other key Igbo cities of Onitsha, Aba and Nnewi? What is going on, Nigeria? If you guys do not want the Igbo people any longer in Nigeria, let them go their way instead of the ever present very discriminatory treatment you continuously mete out to them?

Look at the bridge over River Niger at Onitsha, you refused to rebuild it or even build a new one because it will impact the Igbos of Nigeria positively? Look at Federal appointments, every Igbo was excluded from all plum positions in cabinets and even for the office of the Inspector General of Police which an Igbo man was next in line, the Igbo man, Ogbonnanya Onovo was sidelined for Mike Okilo. Look at the rate of seizure of containers/goods at the ports by the customs and you see that the Igbo importers fare worst, with their seized goods under-sold and bought by other Nigerians to the chagrin of their rightful Igbo owners. Needless to say that the custom and excise is also under the control of the northerners. MASSOB is a non-violent peaceful agitation of Igbo people yet they are being killed and dispatched to the world beyond at a rate higher than the other armed groups in Nigeria including the Ganiyu Adams led Odua' boys. Igbos of Nigeria are being continuously murdered every place in Nigeria for no reason whatsoever except that they are Igbos. Even at the recent Jos pogrom, where a domestic local politics triggered the conflagration, Igbos numbering 149 were murdered in cold blood just because they are the sacrificial guinea-pigs of Nigeria that can be butchered at the whims of the other Nigerians living in the north? If a people cannot feel safe to thrive in their so-called country, what then is the use remaining in that country?

When will the Igbo people of Nigeria say enough is enough and demand for their full integration in Nigeria or asked to be allowed to opt out? Yes, there are so many Igbo people in positions of "authority" as well as other supposed Igbo "leaders" whose relevance as such, in view of their stand in the face of the continued pressure-cooker marginalization of the Igbos in Nigeria, has since become somewhat questionable. Oha n'eze Ndi-Igbo, this is a wake-up call for you to take a stand and demand from President Umaru Yar'Adua the basis of his current rating of some cities in Nigeria as "major" cities while leaving behind every city in Igboland therefrom. Or is the menace of armed robberies/kidnappings in Onitsha, Aba, Enugu and Nnewi not enough to warrant the same security arrangement as are being planned for Ibadan, Lagos, Abuja, Port-Harcourt, Kano, Kaduna and Maiduguri? Enough should be enough! It is time to say it and mean it! Now is time for the Igbos of Nigeria to take a firm stand or forever cower at the feet of these other Nigerians who are gradually enslaving them. Icheoku says, the Igbos should say to these Nigerians' slave-masters, either you give us freedom or you give us death but the present state of slavery-limbo is unacceptable!

OLUSEGUN OBASANJO, SHOULD FACE FIRING SQUAD?

How much is really too much and enough to make Nigerians so mad to call for rendering of account by the former president, Olusegun Obasanjo? It is shocking and disheartening that despite all the atrocities Olusegun Obasanjo committed while in office, he is still cockily walking the grounds of Nigeria a free-man? What then challenges the moral fiber of a Nigerian when such a maniacal disaster as Olusegun Obasanjo could not be brought to account for his stewardship amidst a mountain of evidence of his culpability?

As the president cum oil/petroleum minister of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo's hold on the Nigerian economy was so enormous that Icheoku says he is solely responsible for all that went awry with Nigeria including the plummeting value of the Naira which went from 75 Naira to a dollar in 1999 to the over 148 Naira per dollar when he was forced out of his third term dream land in 2007. His regime's sanctioned numerous assassinations and political murders does not help with mitigation at all in the "guilty as charged" verdict by many Nigerians on Olusegun Obasanjo. Now the mother of all Olusegun Obasanjo's litany of corruption has been unearthed - he awarded several oil-blocks worth several millions of dollars to some thirty-eight (38) unregistered firms during his ignominious regime. Holly macro! And Nigerians are still waiting? What for and what other evidence is needed before this medicine man of Otta is tied to the stake and shot for economic sabotage and crimes against Nigerians? The Odi and Zaki Ibiam communities in Bayelsa and Benue States, respectively, massacres carried out by his regime is substantive in this effort too. When the cession of Nigeria's Bakassi to Cameroon is added to the trachea of Obasanjo's crimes, then may be, his head will be delivered hoisted in a stake and paraded in a macabre-style at the Eagle square in Abuja. This Olusegun Obasanjo is a bastard son of a bastard father whose mother is a whore and does not deserve to live a free man in Nigeria. What example is his continued freedom showing to the rest of Nigerian leaders - that it is ok to be a very corrupt tyrant, provided you choose a stooge to succeed you, if forced out of office? Any Nigeria not enraged by Olusegun Obsaanjo's continued freedom, after all the ills that he perpetrated on Nigerians while in office, is either part of the reason why Nigeria is stunted all these years since her independence or is completely insane! How can it be that this army mechanic from Otta should be allowed to get away with all that he visited upon Nigerians during his reign? It really smells bad. What a putrid scumbag, Olusegun Obasanjo is?

This earth-quaking revelation that 38 oil companies, that were not even registered, won interests in 23 oil blocks during the 2005 oil-blocks bids exercise under the infamous Olusegun Obasanjo regime is mind-numbing indeed. A report by the Nigeria House of Representatives ad hoc committee that probed the oil sector from 1999 to 2007 (Obasanjo presidency) also showed that $2,629,275,667 was realised as signature bonus through the sale of additional 36 oil blocks during the bid rounds and have not been duly accounted for. The committee went frther to criticise President Olusegun Obasanjo who was also the then minister of petroleum for all these discrepancies. It was also established that companies that did not even register for the bid process were pre-qualified, and eventually awarded blocks in clear violation of both the Internal Memorandum and the Guidelines of the exercise under the supervision and order and approval of Olusegun Obasanjo. Obasanjo, while in office came up with a "clever by half" initiative to entice National Oil Companies (NOCs) from Asia including China, Taiwan, India and South Korea to acquire oil blocks for the first time in Nigeria. These Asian National Oil Companies (ANOCs) were given the Right of First Refusal (RFR) and discounted signature bonuses on a number of oil blocks in return for their commitment to invest in downstream and infrastructure projects in Nigeria to the sum of US$20 billion. In short Olusegun Obasanjo battered Nigeria's oil and gas for some promised investments.

A research carried out by Dr. Lillian Wong, an Associate Fellow in Africa Programme at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House London titled, "The Impact of Asian National Oil Companies in Africa", concluded that Obasanjo's messy oil deals were initiated to generate funds for his failed Third Term Agenda. "According to Dr. Wong, "There are credible reports of large sums paid to Obasanjo to support an extension of his tenure by certain beneficiaries (who will remain nameless) of the oil-for-infrastructure deals. Further, it is also believed that officials who negotiated the deals compromised the arrangement by putting personal profit above the national interest". The researcher opined that the recent decision by Yar'Adua-led government to revise the guidelines for oil block allocation, has put a spanner in Olusegun Obasanjo's stated grand-design to achieve a "development dividend" through the oil-for-infrastructure scheme with ANOCs; which it would appear, has now "fallen apart". As a result numerous projects attached to the deal has been cancelled including the Korean gas pipeline projects and the Lagos-Kano railway contract with China. This cancellation has now made the total sum of US$20 billion of investment promised by the ANOCs in 2005/2006 to be at risk." It would be recalled that former President Olusegun Obasanjo had also in addition, acted as the executive minister of Petroleum throughout his tenure. All decisions on the sector solely emanated from him being the absolute dictator he tired to be. Also the NNPC and the Department of Petroleum Resources, responsible for organising licensing rounds which is supposed to be the controlling organs in charge, acted on Obasanjo's directives only.

Reading what one commentator wrote about Nigeria, every sane Nigerian should demand for an immediate panacea to Nigeria's problems, irrespective of the price. According to this narrative, "Nigeria is a very dangerous country to live in. And I am beginning to be truly afraid. I am not talking about armed robbery, assassinations, murder, epileptic power supply and all others of our well known troubles. My worry this morning is the creeping herd mentality I am seeing in this country. You will agree with me that a country where every body thinks the same way; acts the same way and where no one appears to have the courage to be different, is a very dangerous country to live in indeed. If things continue the way they are today, I am afraid I may soon become an émigré! With this kind of referral, what NNigeria needs to do is take a very drastic burnishing measure to try and shore up its fast-evaporating image. Icheoku says that a good place to start is to tie Olusegun Obasanjo at the stake and send some hot-lead right into him; for all that he did wrong in Nigeria during his reign of infamy. This will truly go a very long way in making the crooked road once again straight in Nigeria. By such a courageous display of zero-tolerance for tyranny, Nigerians will have a reason to hope again. So President Umaru Yar'Adua, can you keep hope alive in the new year with the arrest, trial and possible execution of Olusegun Obasanjo for his crimes against humanity, the massacres of Odi and Zaki Ibiam and for his unbridled corruption and wrongful enrichment. Nigerians are looking for a deterrent, they get it and case closed! This will be the best New Year present for Nigerians, Mr President! So lets welcome 2009!

MKO TIBETAN 2009 BOOK OF PREDICTIONS!

The reknowned man of God, Prophet M.K.O. Tibetan, the Nostradamus of our time, has come out with his predictions for 2009. Icheoku will review the book and will publish its high-points while encouraging you, our numerous visitors to get a copy for your records! The book titled "Prediction 2009" was published in September 2008 in paperback by Koltay Enterprises, in a beautiful well-laid out color-scheme and clear lettering. Like all such books of prophesy, the test of its veracity will be at the end of 2009 when the said prophesies would have come to pass. Until then, we can only get our copy, read and assimilate the content and cross our fingers. Once again, happy new year to you all!

Prophet M.K.O. Tibetan can be reached on 9734184397 (USA), 08037171730 (Nigeria), 53861033987 (Ireland) and 07903093637 (London)!

*****************************************

As promised, we have reviewed the book under reference and here are some of the high-points of the famed man of God's predictions for 2009:-

1. President Umaru Yar'Adua will cease to be president on or before July 2009, page 179.

2. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida needs special prayers to avoid death or bereavement this year 2009, page 25.

3. Ooni of Ife Oba Sijuade also needs special prayers to see 2009 through,page 50.

4. His prediction about Oshimole of Edo State has come to pass, page 86.

5. His prediction about Nuhu Ribadu has also come to pass, page 125.

6. Dele Abiodun, Jide Kosoko etc are on the death watch-list for 2009, page 59.

7. Governor Gbenga Daniels of Ogun State will pass on to the life beyond between July and September 2009, page 91.

8. A market women leader Iyaloja Mogaji Tinubu will die this year 2009, page 142.

9. President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe will kick the bucket between March and April 2009, page 112.

10. President Mwai Kibaki will expire in his sleep this year 2009, page 114.

11. Governor Agagu of Ondo State will lose his governorship this year, 2009, page 87.

Like each of you, Icheoku publishes these claims with some human-skepticism, but since some of his past predictions have since come through from the Israeli's Sharon sickness, death of Mrs Stella Obasanjo, the fall of Inspector of Police Tafa Balogun, Oshimole and Nuhu Ribadu, we can only file this away to serve as a testament or a weapon of chastisement in the future. The year 2009 is just twelve months and before too long, we shall either attest to the credibility or otherwise condemn the falsity of the claim as mere bogus. But until the end of 2009, lets reserve our comments as we wait in anticipation of either or of these predictions. There are so many other soul-riveting claims therein contained in the book of Predictions 2009, but Icheoku is just comfortable now with the above. Get a copy today for the records!

NIGERIA, THE 6TH KIDNAPPING-CAPITAL OF THE WORLD!

What an honor indeed? Nigeria is now ranked as the sixth (6) kidnapping country of the world! A sixth country where people are practically stolen from the streets and disappeared only to re-surface after a ransom is paid with the option to be forever gone with the wind! And who still wants to take a chance at being held for ransom and sometimes killed for failure to deliver the king's ransom? The tourist? The investor? The expatriate? The educator? The Foundations staffer? This blogger? You? Me? The list of people staying off is growing and who suffers most but the economy of Nigeria, which is bleeding off all these potential additional tourism revenue due to instability occasioned by fear of kidnappers and other sundry anarchists parading in the country.

Icheoku had written similarly on the kidnapping menace in Enugu State, urging a precise determinate action against such terrorists(kidnap and death of a high chief ); and will like to urge the Federal government of Nigeria to make the crime of kidnapping a death-penalty offence. Kidnapping or fear of it paints Nigeria in a very bad light and sabotages its economy which would otherwise benefit from extra foreign exchange receipts from visitors, tourists and investors wishing to come to Nigeria. With the price of oil, the main stay of Nigeria's economy, tanking, the government need to start taking in revenue from other sources including tourism and the kidnappers should not be allowed to stand in the way. No price is too much to pay to put a stop to this nightmare and Icheoku pledges to support whatever action aimed at stamping out this scourge. The government of Nigeria should therefore treat these miscreants as economic saboteurs and mete a dissuading justice to them accordingly. On the hierarchy of crimes, Icheoku says that kidnapping should rank amongst treason as it attacks the very essence of Nigeria sustenance and by extension, its existence!

Now ranked among such countries like Haiti, Iraq, Afghanistan, Chechyna, Philippines, Colombia, Brazil, Venezuela and Mexico, Nigeria really need to press the accelerator to zoom out of this crowd fast. All the negative raps already heaped on Nigeria appear to be bad enough, but add kidnapping to it and Nigeria becomes a completely no-go area. Admitted that criminals masking as "businessmen" will always brave any condition whatsoever to see if they can ink one contract or catch a deal anywhere, even in Hell, but the real issue should be the standing of Nigeria in the eyes of the world, especially the tourists. Being tagged a kidnapping mecca of the world is a toga the Nigerian Foreign and Internal Affairs ministries should devote a greater percentage of their resources both in manpower, propaganda and money to wage a ruthless campaign against. They need to cleanse this insignia from Nigeria as the damage is unquantifiable both in revenue and reputation. Whatever it takes, let it be done including breaking some hands and legs if need be. Reputation is priceless and any nation without one is doomed!

Now take a little peek on how these top ten kidnapping-countries are viewed in the eyes of the world, in descending order:-

10. Haiti - It remains an unsafe place to visit, even considering the presence of the UN stabilization force. Kidnappers and street gangs are thriving in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. The targets include rich Haitians, diplomats, aid workers and, of course, foreign tourists.

9. Iraq – It doesn't come as a surprise, considering the widespread civil violence, that Iraq isn't one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. Violence and kidnappings occur on a regular basis and are mainly aimed at foreigners. Once the home to the most ancient civilizations, Iraq is now a place where several distinct forces are competing for control.

8. Afghanistan – Afghanistan has been experiencing a lot of turmoil in the wars that have been raging on for over 25 years. Presently, several areas of the country remain unsafe for travelers, Attacks targeting foreigners are ever frequent, especially suicide bombings concentrated around foreign embassies. Visitors are recommended to avoid gatherings, avoid travelling alone or at night. Afghanistan presently has one of the most volatile situations.

7. Chechnya – Ever since the Russian empire collapsed in 1991, southern Russian has been marked by the conflict between the Chechen separatists and the Russian forces, thus reducing almost most of the province to sad ruins of a long war. Rich in petro-chemicals, natural gas and oil, the country’s economy and infrastructure have been experiencing a serious crash, due to the on-going conflicts. Tourists are not safe in the country.

6. Nigeria – Africa’s most populous nation has a fascinating mixture of over 200 ethnic groups that, coupled with an unstable economy, often leads to a volatile situation. According to news reports, over 200 foreign oil workers have been kidnapped in the Niger Delta, most situations being resolved with a ransom. It is not a paradise for tourists as they are easy targets of kidnappers.

5. Philippines – The archipelago consisting of 7,107 islands is a fascinating, laid back natural paradise, with friendly, engaging people. But there’s a reason we included Philippines among the countries where tourists are most likely to get kidnapped. North Cotabato, Mindanao, Zamboanga peninsula, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and the Sulu archipelago are just a few areas that a traveller should necessarily avoid. Apart from the usual robberies and kidnappings, foreigners also risk having a drug put in their drink that knocks one out immediately. Tourists are then either robbed, raped or have their kidneys taken. 10 hours are needed to wake up from the drug and another three days to remember what happened.

4.Venezuela – With some of the most spectacular landscapes and the longest waterfall in the world, Venezuela truly is a sight not to be missed, if you’re willing to leave aside street crime, kidnappings or political turmoil. If not, know that street crime is present on a daily basis throughout the country. Tourists in Venezuela are the easiest target for pickpockets; so try to look like anything but a tourist. Don’t wear jewelry, watches, avoid unfolding maps, taking pictures and stay away from poor areas.

3. Colombia – National parks, high mountains, cruise boats or soaring skyscrapers are just a few of the numerous attractions Colombia has to offer. Even though it might sound like an untroubled paradise, Colombia has its fair share of drug dealers, robberies and kidnappings. Even though safety has improved in recent years, Colombia still suffers from high kidnapping and homicide rates in urban areas. The extra violence is provoked by the guerrillas which operate mainly in rural areas – tourists are warned to be avoid the border areas with Ecuador and Venezuela.

2. Brazil – The largest country in South America, teeming with beaches and untamed forests, Brazil is one of the most vibrant and colorful places on the continent. As with the other countries on the list, the downside is the street crime present in big cities, where attacks against tourists have become frequent. Apart from the usual kidnappings, there are also a high number of muggings; so simply leave your valuables at the hotel and take with you only a small amount of money. To top it all off, Brazil experienced an increase in the number of yellow fever and dengue fever cases, so be sure to have your shots before entering the country.

1. Mexico – Mexico is one of the most dangerous countries in the world. You’ll come across plenty of corruption and the usual street crime that comes with every big city. Kidnapping for ransom is fairly common, especially in border cities such as Tijuana, Nogales or Juarez. As with other cities on the list, try not to look like a tourist, avoid flashing shiny, expensive objects and you should be fine.

Icheoku says, President Umaru Yar'Adua of Nigeria should call his security council's meeting immediately to harsh out a permanent fix to this creeping ugly trend of kidnapping which is enveloping Nigeria. It does not bode Nigeria any good and if left unchecked will metastasize into another cancer in the body-fabric of the country. It should therefore be stopped forthwith and decisively. Any action or measure taken by the government to root it out will be a welcome development with Nigerians and the international community. Enough of these negative marks on Nigeria's image by a few miscreants; who are cashing in on the present spineless administration to cause more terror and apprehension amongst Nigerians and her visitors. Opportunity calls for Umaru Yar'Adua to rise and shine, and re-establish himself as an authentic Nigerian leader, if only he can muster the will and determination to be a little tough on crimes including kidnapping. Now is the time to seriously mean it and do it, (the fight against crimes) Mr. President!

NIGERIA, SOME HIGH-UP CORRUPTION CASES STILL PENDING?

The new year 2009 is lurking around the corner and the ever-dopey Nigeria President Umaru Yar'Adua has promised Nigerians that his now Supreme Court legitimized presidency will finally wake up from its slumber. Icheoku says, Mr. President if you must wake up, wake up to some of these high-up corruption scandals as it will give you the necessary boost needed, to once again make your presidency palatable to many Nigerians and the world at large. These are corruption scandals from the highest echelon of the Nigerian society involving the former president Olusegun Obasanjo family and a sitting Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Jubril Aminu! If these corruption cases are not taken care of, the inaction will be interpreted to the untouchable-status of these fellows involved and will once again portray your presidency as either being in the tank with corruption or you, as too wimpy to strike decisively.

1. Iyabo Bello Obasanjo's three (300) hundred million Naira bribery scandal:- the daughter of former president Olusegun Obasanjo was involved in a three (300) hundred million Naira Health ministry bribery scandal and to date, this matter appears to have been swept under the corrupt Nigerian carpet. Why would this be and yet Umaru Yar'Adua purports to be running an anti-corruption government? Icheoku is not saying that the daughter of your mentor must be jailed for dipping her hand in the Nigerian pie, no, but that the investigation into the alleged gratification be concluded one way or another. Nigerians need clarity of purpose as it appertains to this very scandal. First it involves a former first daughter and some accomplice to the crime, former Minister of Health Professor Adenike Grange and Gabriel Aduku as well as some other officials were fired because of this, so why treat Iyabo Bello Obasanjo differently as an untouchable? This question must be conclusively resolved by your government for its credibility. The 56-Count Criminal Charge of Fraud and Embezzlement of public funds levelled against Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello by the EFCC has not been adjudicated; since the prosecutor, James Binang read it out in court as follows: “That you, Iyabo Obasanjo Bello (now at large) sometimes between December 2007 and March 2008 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of the high court of the Federal Capital Territory while serving as the chairperson, Senate Committee on Health in the National Assembly, dishonestly retained the sum of N10, 000,000 belonging to Federal Government of Nigeria, having reason to believe same to be stolen property thereby committed an offence punishable under section 317 of the Penal Code cap 352, Law of Federation of Nigeria (Abuja)1990.”

2. Senator Jubril Aminu's twelve (12) million dollars Siemens bribery scandal:- This serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from Adamawa State was a co-beneficiary of a twelve (12) million dollar bribery scandal which was extorted from Siemens as a condition precedent for winning some contracts in Nigeria. Ever since the scandal broke, the powers that be in Nigeria have been in an over-drive attempt to wish the matter away but to no avail. Icheoku is calling on Umaru Yar'Adua to show some example with this bribery scandal that no one, including a sitting Nigerian Senator is above the law. In the United States if America a long term Senator from Alaska Ted Stevens was convicted and forced out of office for receiving some gifts but in Nigeria, a senator who demanded and received bribe is still being sheltered by the government of Umaru Yar'Adua as a sitting Nigerian Senator?

Siemens paid a total bribe of approximately $12.7m to some Nigerian officials for four telecommunications contracts valued about $130m. Icheoku says that this twelve million dollars bribe was probably the amount by which that contract was extra over-valued as a company like Siemens will not take a loss in a contract - not from Africa, anyways! According to a high ranking official within Siemens Limited Nigeria, corrupt payments in 2000 and 2001 commonly reached 15 to 30% of the contracts’ value. It is instructive to note that Olusegun Obasanjo was the president of Nigeria at this period under review. The Siemens bribery scandal blew open in October 2007, after a Munich court had found the company guilty of bribing government officials in several countries and fined it 201 million Euros in penalties.

It is very hypocritical that subsequent to this scandal, the Umaru Yar'Adua's Federal Government of Nigeria "suspended" dealings with Siemens and the EFCC commenced investigations, but as soon as the euphoria died down, the Federal Government went back to doing business as usual with Siemens; without any fine being levied or paid by Siemens as was done in the US and Germany. Icheoku says, this is very instructive as to the seriousness with with Umaru Yar'Adua is fighting corruption in Nigeria; more-so since the implicated Nigeria Senator Jubril Aminu is still a serving Senator and chairs its' foreign affairs committee. Justice must not only be done but must be seen to been done. Senator Jubril Aminu should loose his seat at the senate and face prosecution in the spirit of charity begins at home anti-corruption stance of Umaru Yar'Adua's government. Anything short of this is unacceptable to Nigerians and the world at large who continually views Nigeria as a very corrupt country, where some highly placed government officials are corruption personified and are deemed untouchables.

3. NigComSat five (500) hundred million dollars junk Chinese satellite contract scandal:- the third in hierarchy of Icheoku's high-up corruption that demands the immediate attention of Umaru Yar'Adua in the new year is the 500 million dollars junk satellite, which failed less than 18months after it launched into orbit? Nigerian Communication Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Limited in conjunction with a Chinese company embarked on this white-elephant project, fully seized of the fact that it was ill-timed, ill-conceived, ill-equipped, ill-constructed by unskilled artisans, manufactured of sub-standard materials, ill-managed, not space-worthy, defective and not what the Nigerian populace needs at this time of abject hunger, joblessness, insecurity, election-rigging and general malaise pervading the country. The boyish, clean-shaved face T. Ahmed Rufai - the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NIGCOMSAT should be held to account on why he sunk Nigeria's whopping $500 million dollars in such a worthless enterprise. This becomes very imperative because the Chinese contractors to the satellite project has a litany of past sordid projects some of which failed and yet non of this unsatisfactory past performances were factored in before awarding such a huge contract to them.

Icheoku says of all the corruption scandals in Nigeria, including those involving former governors, these three enumerated corruption cases call for rapid attention of the anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria. President Umaru Yar'Adua must show Nigerians that he means business with his anti-corruption stance and that no one is untouchable in the fight. President Umaru Yar'Adua, please this is the time to act and act you must and decisively too; in order to validate yourself as a true anti-corruption president of Nigeria. Any other thing to the contrary will only perpetuate the perception that Nigeria is a very corrupt country, run by corruptible and contemptible fellows and yourself, inclusive!

ALASKAN GOVERNOR SARAH PALIN IS NOW A GRAND-MA!

The over-sexed teenage daughter of Alaskan's Governor Sarah Palin, the Senator John McCain's wanna be vice president, who got pregnant outside wedlock, Bristol Palin has delivered a bouncing baby-boy. His name, Tripp Easton Mitchell Johnston.

The 7 pounds, 4 ounces little bundle of joy arrived this world on Sunday, December 28, 2008 to the waiting arms of Levi Johnston, the baby-daddy and Bristol Palin!

The composite picture above, shows Bristol Palin and the baby-daddy, Levi Johnston. It would be recalled that Levi Johnston is a high school drop-out, who now works on Alaskan's North Slope oil fields as an apprentice electrician.

To really understand how "pathetic and dysfunctional" this family is, Levi Johnston's mother was recently arrested on felony drug charges after state troopers served a search warrant at her Wasilla home. According to authorities, she sent text messages to two police informants in which she discusses making drug transactions involving Oxycontin, a strong prescription painkiller. While the parents of Bristol, Sarah and Todd Palin have five children strangely named Trig, Track, Willow, Piper and Bristol.

Icheoku says, good-luck on your new baby and pray that Levi Johnston and Bristol Palin find happiness in being teenage parents.